Friday, Oct. 18
Matthew 24:1 – 25:46 Read it here
Jesus seems to share the widespread understanding that God will at some point intervene in human history to bring a change that is not evolutionary but revolutionary; it will be clear that God is taking the initiative. At that time, Jesus will return to judge and rule the earth. We know this event by many names: the Second Coming, the Parousia and Judgment Day, to name a few.
In the United States, speculation about this being the end times spikes at predictable times. Each presidential election is cast as a good vs. evil fight. Wars or natural disasters are seen as signs—and a war involving Israel really piques interest. Anniversaries of significant historical events lead to predictions (expect this as the U.S. nears its 250th anniversary). The dawn of a new century or even decade arouses concern (remember Y2K?).
In fact, there are so many predictions it is pretty much a sure thing that one will eventually be right, even it only by coincidence.
As with most points of scripture interpretation, one of my first questions is, What effect does this knowledge have on how I live my life?
Reading chapters 24 and 25 of Matthew suggests the answer is either, “A whole lot” or “Not much.”
Both answers are true. Knowing what will happen—that Christ will return and all will face judgment—makes a huge difference. Knowing when it will happen makes little, if any, difference.
In chapter 24, Jesus is emphatic that no one, including him, knows exactly when the events will take place. He’s very clear: “At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time.”
So when people come to you with “evidence” that the time is near, the choice is simple. You can believe them, or you can believe Jesus. You can’t believe both.
There was recently a meme making the rounds that said something along the lines of, “Revelation wasn’t written so you could build a bomb shelter; it was written so you could build the kingdom.”
While we’re not to Revelation yet, the same principle applies here.
No shelter or supply stockpile or bitcoin or secret knowledge will be of any advantage at the end. While I don’t think the timeline is as clear as some want to say it is, two things are beyond question: First, we’ll experience bad things, and then we’ll experience wonderful things…if we heed chapter 25.
Chapter 25 tells us how to prepare, and it doesn’t involve buying land in Montana.
It is living the life called you to in a way that is prepared at any moment to meet Jesus face-to-face.
In 25:13: “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
In 25:21-30 we see that we will be rewarded for faithfully using the resources God has given us, and punished for hoarding them.
In 25:40 and 45-46 we read: “‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me’….‘whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
The lessons to be learned from reading about the end times aren’t about war and famine and earthquakes; they are about giving food and water and clothing to those in need, inviting the stranger in, and visiting the captives.
Maybe we speculate so much about the “when” because the “what” is uncomfortably clear.